THE co-ordinator of The Hub in Bradford on Avon has thanked local residents for responding to a desperate appeal for foodbank donations.

Avril Clarke said locals have responded “magnificently” to the appeal by donating more than 1,969 kilogrammes of foodstuffs for families in need.

She said: “The Hub would like to thank all the people in Bradford on Avon who have responded to the recent crisis appeal for donations for food.

“People have been absolutely brilliant because our stocks were extremely low at the start of the summer holiday. We had got down to about 20 tins of baked beans, when normally our shelves would be full.

“The generosity of people has meant that the Hub has not only been able to provide over 50 boxes of food for school families to help over the holidays, but also to restore stocks of food to normal levels.”

The Hub recently had to make additional collections from the food point in Sainsbury’s which meant that a total of about 400 kilos of food was received at the foodbank.

Each week the Bradford on Avon foodbank issues around 10 food parcels to local families through the Trussell Trust, which regulates its operation.

Last year, the foodbank helped more than local 700 adults and over 350 children. Stocks always run down during the summer holiday and at Easter and Christmas when children are home from school.

Mrs Clarke added: “Demand is increasing owing to difficulties in applying for Universal Credit and the delay in receiving benefits.

“Other problems affecting clients include deductions from Universal Credit which can be up to 40 per cent and the need to budget over a month.

“However low income, zero-hour contracts also mean people sometimes need additional help with food.”

The Hub provides advice on debts, benefits and internet access from its base in Church Street, Bradford on Avon.